Post card or similar device



. July 4, 1967 M. M. ORMOND 3,329,333

POST CARD OR SIMILAR DEVICE Filed April 28, 1965 1w 1' I as pr: r I

II 'I I INVENTOR jy i ,fl MarhLIz/M. Or-mand il I United States Patent3,329,333 POST CARD 0R SIMILAR DEVICE Martin M. Ormond, P.0. Box 606,Steilacoom, Wash. 98388 Filed Apr. 28, 1965, Ser. No. 451,558 1 Claim.(Cl. 22992.5)

This invention relates to post cards and similar devices fortransmitting information graphically.

There are obvious advantages to single sheet devices such as post cards.They can be mailed at a lower postage rate than envelopes and can bemore efficiently sorted, stacked, processed and otherwise handled. Butthe equally obvious disadvantage is that the message borne on a postcard is unconcealed; and therefore, such a device is impractical fortransmitting confidential information.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a post card orsimilar device having the advantages of a single sheet mailing device,while also having means for concealing the message, thereby renderingthe device suitable for transmitting confidential information.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a post card orsimilar mailing device with means to selectively conceal a portion ofthe message without losing the advantages of a single sheet mailingdevice.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingspecification of a preferred embodiment of the present invention,reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof inwhich like numerals refer to like parts.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view along line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view showing variation.

Referring to the drawings, the message bearing :basic sheet 1 isrectangular in shape and made of paste board or heavy paper. It is acommon post card on the underside of which would appear the address andpostage.

The cover sheet 2 is preferably an opaque sheet of a lightweight plasticmaterial; however, it might also be a sheet of paper or practically anyother lightweight opaque sheet material. A pressure sensitive adhesive 3is applied to the undersurface of the cover sheet 2, thereby providingit with a tacky undersurface.

An intermediate sheet 4, being the same length but slightly narrowerthan the cover sheet 2, is placed in contact with the tacky undersurfaceof the cover sheet 2 so as to cover all but a narrow strip along oneside of the cover sheet. The strip of the tacky undersurface whichremains uncovered forms the attaching portion 6 of the cover sheet 2.

The cover sheet 2, with intermediate sheet 4 attached to and coveringmost of its tacky undersurface is placed upon and in registry with thebasic sheet 1. The attaching portion 6, being the only exposed area ofthe tacky undersurface of cover sheet 2, will upon pressure adhere tothat portion of the basic sheet 1 which it contacts.

A fold line 7 is formed lengthwise along cover sheet 2, at the juncturebetween the intermediate sheet 4 and the attaching portion 6. Becausethe intermediate sheet does not have a tacky undersnrface, it does notadhere to basic sheet -1 and can be folded back from basic sheet 1,while attaching portion 6 remains attached thereto.

The cover sheet 2 has one corner cut off diagonally. This is tofacilitate separation of the intermediate sheet 4 from the cover sheet2.

In use, the cover sheet 2 is folded back along fold line 7, uncoveringthe upper surface of basic sheet 1. A message is inscribed on the uppersurface of sheet 1 and an address on the undersurface of sheet 1. Theintermediate sheet 4 is then separated from the tacky undersurface ofcover sheet2; the separation being initiated by sharply bending thecorner of intermediate sheet 4 adjacent the diagonal corner 5 of coversheet 2. Once separated, the intermediate sheet 4 is removed thusexposing the pressure sensitive adhesive 3. The opaque cover sheet 2 isthen folded back down into contact with the basic sheet 1 and adheredthereto. The message on the upper surface of basic sheet 1 is opaquelycovered and remains so until the cover sheet 2 is removed. And again,the diagonal corner 5 facilitates the removal of cover sheet 2 and therevealing of the message.

FIGURE 3 shows one possible variation of this invention. In this form,the pressure sensitive adhesive is applied only to a peripheral area 8of the cover sheet 2 and the attaching portion 6 thereof. It will beappreciated that this not only conserves on the amount of pressuresensitive adhesive required, but also facilitates the separation ofcover sheet 2 from intermediate sheet 4 and from basic sheet 1.

It is also envisioned that the cover sheet might be provided with a cutout section such as 10 so as to reveal some preselected portion of themessage on basic sheet 1. For instance, with a government check wherethe payees name and address appears in a particular place, the coversheet could be provided with a cut out section preselected to reveal thepayees name and address even when the cover sheet is adhered to thebasic sheet, thereby concealing the remainder of the message. Thus acheck would be printed, the cover sheet applied to conceal allinformation except the payees name and address, the postage (or frank)applied to the cover sheet and the check would be ready for mailing. Noenvelope would be required and the check could be handled the same as asingle sheet post card or other such single sheet mailing device.

Similarly, the opaque cover sheet could be provided with a transparentsection calculated to reveal some preselected portion of the messagewhile concealing the remainder of it.

Although for most uses, the intermediate sheet is a practical necessity,there are situations wherein it is not. For instance, where there is amass mailing of a type that can be automated, the opaque cover isapplied directly in the form of a tape (opaque, with pressure sensitiveadhesive coating or undersurface) which converges between opposedrollers with a synchronized tape bearing graphic information. Theresultant combined tape is then cut at appropriate intervals therebyforming the basic sheet and opaque cover sheet adhered thereto.

It will be understood that various modifications Within the spirit ofthe invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it isintended that no limitations be placed on the invention except asdefined by the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A post card comprised of a single basic indicia receiving sheet, anopaque cover sheet having a cut out section and a corner removedtherefrom and a tacky adhesive around the periphery of the undersurfaceportion thereof, a removable intermediate sheet attached to and coveringsaid tacky undersurface of said cover sheet, one edge portion of saidcover sheet being removably adhered to said basic sheet by the tackyundersurface of the said cover sheet and in registry with somepreselected portion of the upper surface of said basic sheet wherebywhen the removable intermediate sheet is removed and the remainder ofsaid tacky undersurface of said cover sheet is brought into contact withsaid upper surface of said basic sheet said cover sheet is releasablyadhered to the said preselected 3 portion of said upper surface of saidbasic sheet and 2,139,377 a preselected portion of the indicia on thebasic sheet 2,168,920 is visible through the cut out section. 2,359,3142,717,174 References Cited 5 2,979,840

UNITED STATES PATENTS 4 Mull et a1. Wissmann 229-928 Klein et a1.Casanovas 22992.8 Eastman 206--56 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Examiner.

